“‘He’s too big to be held.’
‘Stop treating him like a baby.’
To those people who’ve expressed their ‘concerns’ with me, I have a message for YOU.
You’re not there when he falls down, gets hurt, and needs me to pick him up to make it all better.
You’re not there when he has a bad dream at night and CAN’T GO BACK TO SLEEP without being held because that hug reassures him he’s safe from the monsters.
You’re not there when he comes home and he’s uncontrollably crying because he’s FORCED TO ACT TOUGH around certain people who won’t give him the comfort and affection he so desperately needs when I’m not around.
So I hold him every chance I get.
People need to stop treating children (ESPECIALLY BOYS) like they are grown adults. Even adults need to be held sometimes, too.
Emotion is normal. Wanting love and comfort is normal.
What’s NOT normal is telling a child or another parent that holding them passed the age of one isn’t okay.
I will hold my son until I physically can’t hold him anymore, or when he doesn’t need it anymore.
Right now, I can hold him. Right now, he needs it. Right now until forever, I will do what I feel is best for my child.
I don’t give a flying you-know-what to anyone who says or thinks differently.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Annie Hartigan. You can follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.
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